The good and bad of Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland

A breakdowns of Jeff Ireland's strengths and weaknesses in six seasons as the Dolphins top executive

(Joe Rimkus Jr., Miami Herald…)

August 27, 2013|Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel.com

A look at the five best and worst moves/traits of Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland.

The Good

Ireland played a part in Miami landing former CFL standout Cameron Wake, getting him to the Dolphins when a half dozen NFL teams were trying to lure him. Ireland also got the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher to sign a five-year, $33.2 million extension that will keep him in a Dolphins uniform until 2017.

During Ireland's tenure the Dolphins drafted two starting safeties in the fifth round, and Reshad Jones and Chris Clemons have become one of the NFL's best safety tandems. The pair is entering their second season together as Miami's starters, and its possible their growing chemistry could help them play better.

Ireland has had success finding undrafted gems like Pro Bowl kicker Dan Carpenter, receivers Davone Bess, Marlon Moore, and Anthony Armstrong. All were undrafted rookie free agents who not only made the 53-man roster, but have put together respectable NFL careers.

The Dolphins haven't been embarrassed in a trade since Ireland took over. Miami usually gets fair value, and there have been instances - like this year's swap of draft picks to move up to No.3 pick to select Dion Jordan – where the Dolphins have gotten lopsided value. Ireland also has a way of turning spare parts like quarterback Josh McCown, offensive lineman Ryan Cook, center Samson Satele, receivers Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess into commodities.

Since 2008 the Dolphins have selected at least three multi-year starters in each draft class but one, the 2011 crop, which only features two experienced starters in center Mike Pouncey and H-back Charles Clay. Last year's draft class should feature Ryan Tannehill, Jonathan Martin, Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller as starters. At this point it is too early to tell on the '13 draft class.

The Bad

Have the Dolphins found an upper echelon quarterback yet? Chad Pennington, whom Ireland and company signed right before the 2008 season, was Miami's last decent starter. At least two of the three quarterbacks drafted early – Chad Henne and Pat White – have turned into busts. And right now Tannehill has a long way to go if he's going to catch up to his NFL peers.

Trading for, then trading away Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall was a double whammy. The initial trade, and contact that allowed Miami to acquire Marshall from Denver violated two of Ireland core beliefs. The first was to avoid trading for a player that required a big contract. And Marshall's troublesome past contradicted the team's edict on avoiding complicated characters. Marshall production in Miami was high, but the Dolphins traded him to Chicago before the 2012 season for two third-round picks, which haven't amounted to much.

There has been more misses than hits in free agency. Smiley, Grove, Reggie Torbor, Charlie Anderson, Ernest Wilford, Gibril Wilson, Eric Green have all wasted the franchise's money. And even recently deals, like the ones Ireland gave Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett and Richard Marshall, weren't fulfilled. Considering all those disappointing signings how is anyone certain Ireland spent owner Steve Ross' money wisely this summer?

Too many of the players selected in the first four rounds of recent drafts have turned into NFL busts. Phillip Merling, Chad Henne, Shawn Murphy, Pat White, Patrick Turner, A.J. Edds, Clyde Gates are all backups, if not all the league. The jury is still out on tailback Daniel Thomas, tight end Michael Egnew, and this year's draft picks. But the odds favor a few of them turning into duds.